Internet security

Do you have an effective security package on your computer – one that stops both viruses and spam (unsolicited mailings)?

Or perhaps you have an old one that you are not happy with, or haven’t updated for yonks, because you have to pay or you don’t know how to do it?

Are you interested in getting for FREE, including updates for 12 months, the currently best-of-breed internet security package (as recommended by PC Pro magazine)? If so you can – from Barclays (if you are an online banking customer) via a download.

If you follow the following instructions it should be a piece of cake:

1. Log on to Personal Banking (if you can master the new PINSentry machines doing this should be a doddle).
2. On the left, under Interested In, click on the Kaspersky Offer link. This will take you to a page on Kaspersky’s own website where you will have to register i.e. give them your name, email address and online banking membership number. Before you do so I suggest that you check, at the bottom of the page, whether your computer is capable of running this modern, resource-hungry package. If you don’t meet the minimum criteria, e.g. you are still running Windows 2000 or even earlier, this is NOT for you.
3. If you are going ahead, follow the instructions on that page and download the Kaspersky software. Its size is c. 32mb so will take some time if you are not on a decent broadband connection.
4. Install the software by double-clicking on the file (you did make a note of where you downloaded it to, didn’t you?
   Note: At this point it is important to disable any existing anti-virus or internet security programs that you are running e.g. Norton, McAfee or ZoneAlarm etc. because, like all other such packages, Kaspersky objects to the presence of them and often reports them as evildoers. This is not just them being negative about their competitors – all these packages get deep ‘into the guts’ of your computer and hence behave a bit like viruses do themselves.
   Under no circumstance should you just delete all the files that you think relate to the old package. This does not work. It just makes life more complicated.
5. To remove any previous packages either
   1. Use the package’s own Uninstall option, which you should find under All Programs on the Start Menu, or
   2. Again from the Start Menu, go to the Control Panel and select the Add or Remove Programs option, Scroll down until you find the no-longer- required program, and Click on the Remove button.
6. Allow Kaspersky to ‘phone home’ and get itself bang up to date for your optimum protection. It is happiest on a broadband connection so it can check regularly.
7. Job Done!

Barclays will probably renew the arrangements with Kaspersky next year when the essential updates stop. If they don’t then you will have to part with some cash yourself, but you will still have enjoyed a year’s free protection.

Peter Glennon

£ 4 £ Scheme for Pensioners

I have been advised that applications for the scheme once known as £ 4 £, but now designated as Matched Fundraising, have to be processed on the internet.

To apply go to www.barclays.com/community or follow the Matched Fundraising link on our own homepage. From there click on the Barclays colleagues – Get Involved button.

You will have to register in order to get into the site and for this you will need your staff number.

In case of difficulty with their site, there are Contact Us details on their homepage.

Good luck with your fundraising.

Liz Talbot

Northern Lunch

Once a year we lay on a lunch for ‘Our Friends in the North’. If you live north of Mansfield and are interested please get in touch via the Contact Us page and selecting Northern Lunch as the subject.

Last year the lunch was held at the Harewood Arms in Leeds. As this proved to be not overly popular, on local recommendation, this year it will be held at the Masonic Hall, Headingley, Leeds, on Wednesday 15th September .

Bob Ayers